Bedclothes-fastener



(No Model.) v v 1 A. C. GRAVES.

UBEDGLOTHBS FASTENER.

Patented Nov. 8, 1887.

Jwuawboo V HLFRED: C. GRm/Es PATENT FFIQEQ ALFRED O. GRAVES, QF LEBANdN,-KENTUCKY.

BEDCLOTHLES-IFAISTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming pent of Letters Patent No. 372,748, dated November 8, 1887.

Anplication filrdFebruary 5, 1887. Serial No. 226.686. (Xo'model) To all whom it may concern:

GRAVES, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Lebanon, in the State of Kentucky, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Bedclothes-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fasteners for holdg ing bedclothes or eoverlets in place on the beds of children or others liable to displace the clothing.

The present invention consists in certain novel'combinations of parts constituting an improved device, as hereinafter set forth and claimed. Its objects are, first, to securely hold the bedclothes without subjecting them to tearing strains, and so that the elastic attaching-connections of the clamp may be fastened to the bed-bottom beneath the mattress, and

may yield to any required extent without lifting the latter; and secondly,to so construct the clamp proper as to render it effective in connection with an elastic attaching-conned tion, and at the same time selffasteningeasily adjusted, and readily unfastened.

A sheet of drawings accompanies this specification as part thereof. Figure 10f the drawings is a perspective view of the clamp, as it is hereinafter termed, and Fig. 2 is a crosssection thereof, illustrating its operation. Fig. 3 represents a fragmentary longitudinal section of a bedstead with the clamp attached thereto in a preferred way. Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary plan views, showing modified attaching devices; and Fig. 6 is an elevation of the clamp, illustrating another modified attaching device.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

The clamp O or 0 Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 6, comprises a pair of rigid jaws, a b, integral with each other at one edge, 0. At the opposite edge said jawa isprovided with an inwardlyprojecting terminal lip, d, and with a ridge, 6, parallel to said lip-on its inner side, and said jaw b is bifurcated and perforated, so as to form a pair of pivotal bearings, f, at its outer corners, with an opening, g, between them. A Swinging tongue, T, having a pivotal bar at go one edge, is pivoted in said bearings f, and. a

pair of torsional springs, h, the coils of which surround said pivotal bar, whiletheir extremiy ties engage,respectively,with the stemsof said Be it known that I, ALFRED CHAMBERS bearings and with cross-bars of the tongue, tend to press the effective edge of the tongue against said lip d. The tongue T is shown in this normal position in Fig. l and in full lines in Fig. 2.

At said edge a the clamp O is provided with an eye or loop, 1', to which an elastic strap, E or E or E is coupled, the form of said attachment i being determined by whether said strap is round or flat, or by the form of its couplings. In the arrangement represented by Fig. 3 said elastic strap E is drawn over a pulley, 1?, attached to the inner side of the bedrail r, and is coupled at its other end to a spiral spring, S, which is in turn coupled to an eye-screw, it, or the like, driven into said inner side'of the bed rail.

In the modification illustrated by Fig. 4 said elastic strap E is drawn over a pulley, P, at tached to the slat rail 2' and the spiral spring S is coupled to a piece of wire, 10, the ends of which are held in holes in the opposite edges of two of the bed-slats s.

In the arrangement represented by Fig. 5 a flat elastic strap, E, is drawn over a roller, R, attached to the slat-rail r", and is coupled at its inner end to the free end of a spring, S formed by a piece of stiff wire, the other end of which is rigidly attached to one or more of the bed-slats, as shown at or.

In the modification illustrated by Fig. 6 a flat elastic strap, E, is coupled directly to a clamp, G and provided with a fastening de- Vice, 2, such as a buckle, whereby its ends may be readily connected after looping it around the free end of said spring S, Fig. 5, or a fixed support, such as said wire to, Fig. i, and drawing it around a roller, It, Fig. 5, so that the portion beneath the mattress shall constitute a horizontallyyielding spring. The elastic attaching-connections so formed relieve the fastened bedclothes from sudden strains, such as would tear them, while the hold of the clamp may be and is unrelaxed. The said springs S S, in connection with the straps E E and pulley and roller 1? R, form elastic attaching-connections of extended scope, while the yielding movement of the spring is in all cases horizontal, so as not to lift or in any way disturb the mattress or bed bottom. Said ridge 6 within the clamp, in connection with its lip d and the springpressed tongue '1, precludes any slipping of the fastened bedclothes in the clamp, as illustrated by Fig. 2, full lines. The bedclothes B are thereby rebent around the effective edge of the tongue. The clamp is rendered selft'astening by its said springs 71, one of which may suiiiee. By pressing back the tongue T the edge of the bedclothes is admitted, and may then be drawn through the opening 9, as represented by the arrow t, Fig. 2. As soon as the pull ceases, the spring or springs 71- act, and a bight of the clothes is clamped between the edge of the tongue and the lip d and ridge e.

To open the clamp the tongue T may be retracted by a finger inserted through the opening g, as represented by the arrow 0, Fig. 2, or by pressure on either crossbar of the tongue.

I am aware that an elastic attaching connection, broadly considered, is not new in bedclothesfastencrsas one is set forth as an elas ticband in combination with a springgnard hook in the patent of J. Lcsh, No. 170,573, dated November 30, 1875.

I am also aware that clamps having'swinging tongues, in combination with rigid jaws, have before been used as fixed attachments in rein-holders and like devices. My clamp is exclusively designed and adapted for a bedclothcs or coverlet clamp, and for use in combination with an elastic attaching conncction which not only relieves it from sudden strains, but renders a relatively loose hold on the covlet snfiieient. At the same time the hold must be ellectivc, and injury to coverlets of delicate fabrics must be guarded against. I consequcntly provide for holding the coverlet by a sharp bend of the same around the rounded edge of the tongue in connection with flatwise pressure of the same against the lip of the clamp by the spring or springs of the tongue. This style of bold distinguishes my clamp from all other clamps with which I am aequainted.

I am also aware that a bedelothes clamp, in which the eoverlet is held by a wedging action, has been shown with aswinging tongue in combination with a spring-jaw. This forms no part of my invention.

Having thus described my said improvement in bedclothcs-fasteners, I claim as my invention and desire to patent under this specificationl. The combination, in a bedclothes -fastener, ot a clamp, a flexible strap, a pulley or roller over which said strap is drawn, and a horizontally-yielding spring to which said strap is coupled, substantially as herein speci tied.

2. The combination, in a bedolothcs-lastenenol a flexible strap, a pulley or roller over which said strap is drawn, a horizontally yielding spring, and a clamp coupled to said strap and having a pair of rigid jaws integral with each other at one edge, one of which jaws is provided with a terminal lip and a ridge parallel thereto, and a swinging tongue pivoted to the other jaw and provided with i'asteni ng-springs,substantial ly as herein specilied.

A. C. GRAVES.

Witnesses:

R. L. PARRO'IT, Gno. F. GILMORE. 

